The inland regions also have an easy fix: uiterwaarden [1]. Basically, accept that the rivers will periodically overflow and designate an area immediately next

The inland regions also have an easy fix: uiterwaarden [1]. Basically, accept that the rivers will periodically overflow and designate an area immediately next to the river as a perennial wetland. In NL, they're usually combined with rewilding projects. By allowing the river to overflow in certain areas, downstream cities along the river won't be faced with flash floods (just a prolonged period of higher-than-average water levels). (edit: it seems "wet meadow" [2] is the closest English equivalent, although those seem of natural origin and not specifically intended as a flood-management device) [1] https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uiterwaard https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uiterwaard [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsh#Wet_meadows https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsh#Wet_meadows